10.3 SG Flashcards
Define Ecological succession
The process by which an environment which was devoid of life changes over time to being able to support many forms of life
Define primary succession
The achievement of ecological succession for the first time in a place that was devoid of life
Define Secondary succession
The achievement of ecological succession for the second time after an event had reduced an environment back to being devoid of life once more
Define pioneer species
An R selected species of life that is the first to inhabit a place that is devoid of life
Define serial stages
Period of time for an environment between being devoid of life and reaching its climax stage, the in between for when its still growing
Define climax community
Period of time for when an environment has fully grown from being devoid of life to now being able to support large amounts of life
Define species richness
Number of different species in a given ecosystem
Define species evenness
A measure of how equally distributed individuals are among different species in a community
Define genetic diversity
The variety of genes within a species or population
Define ecological diversity
Refers to the variety of ecosystems, species, and ecological processes in a certain area
Define keystone species
A species within an environment that it’s presence is very impactful and is crucial to the health, stability, and wellbeing of the entire environment and all the life within it
Define invasive species
A species that is not native to an environment and out competes the native species in the area. They can cause damage and lower diversity. They lack natural predators, competitors, or plagues
